Production method of anisotropic conductive sheet

ABSTRACT

A flowable insulating resin  1  is placed in a sheet-like molding die space and conductive magnetic particles  2  are dispersed in the insulating resin  1 . A first magnetic field G 1  is acted in the sheet thickness direction on the position where a conductive path is to be formed in the die space, and conductive magnetic particles  2   a  are locally collected together to form a conductive path. Simultaneously, a second magnetic field G 2  is acted in the sheet thickness direction on the intermediate region and the magnetic field G 2  is moved in the lateral direction to move conductive magnetic particles  2   b  left in the intermediate region to join the collection forming the conductive path. As a result, the number of the conductive magnetic particles left in the insulating resin becomes smaller.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anisotropic conductive sheet to be interposed for mounting of electronic parts such as IC and the like, electrical connection between printed circuit boards and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As anisotropic conductive sheets (also called anisotropic conductive films), those having various structures as shown in the following references 1-9:

-   -   reference 1: JP-A-51-93393     -   reference 2: JP-A-53-147772     -   reference 3: JP-A-54-146873     -   reference 4: JP-B-56-48951     -   reference 5: JP-A-4-151889     -   reference 6: JP-A-7-105741     -   reference 7: JP-A-2000-133063     -   reference 8: JP-A-2001-185261     -   reference 9: U.S. Pat. No. 4,292,261

As shown in FIG. 6(a) of this application, in an anisotropic conductive sheet 100 comprising conductive particles 102 uniformly dispersed in an insulating resin sheet 101, respective conductive particles 102 are separated from each other in an unused (non-compressed) state. As shown in FIG. 6(b), however, when the anisotropic conductive sheet 100 is interposed between an electrode 111 of an electronic parts 110 to be connected and a wire circuit 121 of a substrate 120 for mounting, and compressed from both sides, the conductive particles are contacted with each other in the compressed part to electrically conduct the electrode 111 and the circuit 121.

In the anisotropic conductive sheet shown in FIG. 6(c), (d), a number of conductive paths 103, 104 penetrating an insulating resin sheet 100 in the thickness direction of the sheet have been formed, wherein the conductive paths are insulated from each other.

The conductive paths include a through-hole filled with a good conductor metal and a through-hole having a metal conductive wire penetrating therethrough, as shown in FIG. 6(c), conductive magnetic particles locally collected together to form a conductive path as shown in FIG. 6(d) and the like.

Conventionally, the following production method is used for producing the anisotropic conductive sheet shown in FIG. 6(d)

First, as shown in FIG. 7(a), a flowable insulating resin 101 a is placed in a sheet-like molding die (sheet-like cavity space defined by partition plates 201, 202 in the Figure). The insulating resin 101 a contains conductive magnetic particles 102 in a uniformly dispersed state.

Next, magnets M1, M2 are placed at the positions facing each other relative to the insulating resin in the die, where the conductive path is to be formed, and a local magnetic field is allowed to act on the sheet in the thickness direction (magnetic field is typically shown with a broken arrow in the Figure). As shown in FIG. 7(a), uniformly dispersed conductive magnetic particles 102 are attracted toward the local magnetic field and, as shown in FIG. 7(b), collected together to form a conductive path.

Finally, the insulating resin is cured (set) to give an anisotropic conductive sheet.

However, the present inventors considered the above-mentioned conventional production methods in more detail and found the following problems.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), when a local magnetic field acted on the insulating resin in the die, since the magnetic field between the opposing magnets is extending in the initial stage, the conductive magnetic particles 102 can be attracted toward the central direction.

As the conductive magnetic particles 102 a are collected together as a conductive path, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the conductive path becomes a magnetic path and, since the magnetic field is confined in the conductive path, the magnetic field can hardly act on the surrounding area. As a result, a lot of conductive magnetic particles 102 b are left in the insulating resin, as shown in FIG. 7(b). The conductive magnetic particles 102 b once left behind are not attracted to the conductive path, and merely disperse in the film without contributing as a conductive path.

Therefore, the problem that the present inventors found in the conventional production methods is that a part of the conductive magnetic particles is left therein.

Since conductive magnetic particles are left in the insulating resin, problems occur in that (a) a preferable conductive path having a sufficient sectional area cannot be obtained, (b) reliability in the insulation between conductive paths is impaired due to the remaining conductive magnetic particles and the like.

Even if a greater amount of conductive particles is dispersed in the insulating resin to solve the above-mentioned problem (a), the number of the remaining conductive magnetic particles increases and the problem of reliability relating to the above-mentioned (b) becomes greater.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and reduce the number of conductive magnetic particles left in the insulating resin in the production of an anisotropic conductive sheet comprising conductive magnetic particles locally collected together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is characterized by the following.

(1) A method of producing the following anisotropic conductive sheet (A), which comprises

-   -   placing a flowable insulating resin in the space of a sheet-like         molding die, which resin comprising conductive magnetic         particles dispersed therein,     -   simultaneously performing, relative to the space of the         sheet-like molding die, the processes of         -   (i) applying, in a sheet thickness direction, a first             magnetic field to the position to form a conductive path in             the space of the sheet-like molding die to locally collect             the conductive magnetic particles together to form a             conductive path, and         -   (ii) applying, in the sheet thickness direction, a second             magnetic field to an intermediate region between the             positions to form conductive paths, to move the second             magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction,             thereby moving the conductive magnetic particles in the             intermediate region to form the conductive path, and then             solidifying the flowable insulating resin:     -   (A) an anisotropic conductive sheet comprising an insulating         resin sheet and conductive magnetic particles contained in the         sheet, wherein the conductive magnetic particles are locally         collected together to form multiple conductive paths penetrating         the insulating resin sheet in the thickness direction.

(2) The production method of (1) above, wherein the above-mentioned process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet in one surface of two main wall surfaces of the wall surfaces forming the sheet-like molding die space, or behind the main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die, and the above-mentioned process (ii) is performed by placing a second magnet behind the above-mentioned first magnet or behind the main wall surface opposite to the above-mentioned main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction.

(3) The production method of (2) above, wherein the above-mentioned process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die,

and the above-mentioned process (ii) is performed by placing a second magnet behind the above-mentioned first magnet when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction.

(4) The production method of (3) above, wherein a die member forming at least the above-mentioned one main wall surface is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.

(5) The production method of (2) above, wherein the above-mentioned process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die,

and the above-mentioned process (ii) is performed by placing a second magnet behind the above-mentioned other main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction.

(6) The production method of (5) above, wherein the die member forming both main wall surfaces is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.

(7) The production method of (1) above, wherein the above-mentioned process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet in one surface of two main wall surfaces of the wall surfaces forming the sheet-like molding die space, or behind the main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die, and the above-mentioned process (ii) is performed by arranging multiple electromagnets as second magnets in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the above-mentioned first magnet or behind the main wall surface opposite to the above-mentioned main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction by controlling the order of activation of individual electromagnets.

(8) The production method of (7) above, wherein the above-mentioned process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die,

and the above-mentioned process (ii) is performed by arranging multiple electromagnets as second magnets in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the above-mentioned first magnet, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction by controlling the order of activation of individual electromagnets.

(9) The production method of (8) above, wherein a die member forming at least one main wall surface is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.

(10) The production method of (7) above, wherein the above-mentioned process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die,

and the above-mentioned process (ii) is performed by arranging multiple electromagnets as second magnets in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the other main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction by controlling the order of activation of individual electromagnets.

(11) The production method of (10) above, wherein the die member forming both main wall surfaces is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.

(12) The production method of (1) above, further comprising placing a first material for generating the first magnetic field in the plane of one surface of two main wall surfaces forming a sheet-like molding die space or behind the main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, and placing a second material for generating the second magnetic field to fill the gap between the aforementioned first materials, wherein the first material and the second material both permit the magnetic field to pass therethrough, and the first material is made to have higher permeability than the second material, and wherein the processes (i), (ii) above are simultaneously performed by moving a magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the first and second materials to generate a magnetic field, which is passed through the first material to create a first magnetic field, and through the second material to create a second magnetic field, which fields simultaneously acting on the molding die space.

(13) The production method of (12) above, wherein the first material and the second material are placed behind one main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and the die member forming at least the aforementioned main wall surface is made of a material permitting passage of the magnetic field from behind.

(14) The production method of (12) above, wherein the first material is iron, nickel, cobalt or ferrite and the second material is aluminum, copper or silica.

(15) The production method of (1) above, wherein at least the molding die, the source of the first magnetic field and the source of the second magnetic field are partially or wholly surrounded by a magnetic material so that the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field will act more intensely on the sheet-like molding die space.

(16) The production method of (1) above, further comprising adding mechanical vibration to the sheet-like molding die space to facilitate the above-mentioned process (ii).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically shows the state where a magnetic field is applied according to the production method of the present invention, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are hatched to distinguish other parts.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the production method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the production method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the production method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the production method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the structure and the state of use of a conventional anisotropic conductive sheet.

FIG. 7 illustrates the problems of conventional production methods of anisotropic conductive sheets.

The symbols in the Figures show the following: 1; insulating resin, 2; conductive magnetic particles, 2 a; conductive magnetic particles collected together as a conductive path, 2 b; left conductive magnetic particles, G1; first magnetic field, g1; first magnet, G2; second magnetic field, g2; a second magnet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the production method of the present invention, conductive magnetic particles are dispersed, and the first magnetic field to form a conductive path is applied to a fixed position relative to a flowable insulating resin in the molding die as shown in the above-mentioned (1). Simultaneously, the second magnetic field is movably applied to draw the conductive magnetic particles left from the collection of conductive magnetic particles (=conductive path) produced by the first magnetic field, and lead them to be included in the conductive path.

By doubly applying these two kinds of magnetic fields having different objects and actions, the number of conductive magnetic particles left in the intermediate region can be decreased and the conductive path becomes thicker. Therefore, the anisotropic conductive sheet comes to have fine conductivity in the thickness direction and fine insulating property in the sheet surface expanding direction.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the production method of the present invention. As shown in this Figure, in this production method, a flowable insulating resin 1 is placed in a sheet-like molding die (molding cavity) formed by two pieces of plate die members 20, 30. The insulating resin 1 comprises conductive magnetic particles 2 dispersed therein (in this Figure, they are already locally collected together).

The flowable insulating resin 1 in the molding die is simultaneously subjected to the following processes (i), (ii). (i) A first magnetic field G1 is applied in the sheet thickness direction to the position where a conductive path is to be formed, and conductive magnetic particles 2 a are locally collected together to form a conductive path.

(ii) A second magnetic field G2 is applied to an intermediate region between the positions where a conductive path is to be formed, in the sheet thickness direction, and the second magnetic field is moved in this state in the sheet surface expanding direction (hereinafter to be referred to as “lateral direction”). As a result, conductive magnetic particles 2 b left (or being left) in the intermediate region are drawn to move into the collection forming a conductive path.

After a conductive path is formed, an insulating resin 1 is solidified to give an anisotropic conductive sheet.

The anisotropic conductive sheet to be formed by the production method of the present invention may be any as long as it has the constitution described in the above-mentioned (A). The preferable size, structure, material and the like thereof are exemplified below.

The insulating resin to be a starting material of the sheet may be any as long as it can be flowable at least during the above-mentioned processes (i), (ii), and can be solidified as a sheet after processing. As such material, thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, UV curable resins and the like can be mentioned.

As the thermoplastic resin, polyester, nylon, polyolefin and the like can be mentioned, as the UV curable resin, epoxy resin, acrylic resin and the like can be mentioned, and as the thermosetting resin, epoxy resin, acrylic resin and the like can be mentioned.

While the thickness of the anisotropic conductive sheet is not particularly limited, it is preferably 10 μm-50 μm as in conventional anisotropic conductive sheets, and 10 μm-25 μm is a preferable thickness often used for mounting recent IC chips comprising electrodes at high density.

The outline shape and outside dimension of the anisotropic conductive sheet as a product before cutting as obtained by the production steps or the final product can be respectively determined according to the production instruments, processability, and the size of electronic parts and circuit substrates to be connected.

For example, the outside dimension of the anisotropic conductive sheet before cutting is a 50 mm wide band like sheet (provided by unwinding a roll), a 100 mm×100 mm sheet and the like, and the outside dimension of an anisotropic conductive sheet as the final product is about (30 mm×50 mm)-(0.5 mm×5 mm) when the shape is a rectangle.

The arrangement pattern of the conductive paths upon review of the anisotropic conductive sheet surface, cross sectional shapes of the conductive paths, average outer diameter, the ratio of the section of the conductive path to the sheet surface and the like can be determined by reference to the designed values of conventionally known anisotropic conductive sheets.

In addition, elastic coefficient, heat resistance, other mechanical properties, electric property, and chemical property of the anisotropic conductive sheet as a whole can be determined by reference to the properties of conventionally known anisotropic conductive sheets, or determined to satisfy the industrially demanded properties.

The material, particle diameter, production method of particles, amount to be added, kneading method and the like of the conductive magnetic particles contained in the anisotropic conductive sheet can be determined by reference to known techniques.

As the materials of the conductive magnetic particles, for example, conductive magnetic metals such as iron, nickel and the like can be mentioned, as well as magnetic particles containing nonconductive magnetic materials (e.g., ferrite etc.) coated with a conductive substance (e.g., gold, silver etc.), and the like can be mentioned.

The particle size of the conductive magnetic particles is preferably about 0.1 μm-5 μm, as measured by a light scattering method.

The specific constitution of the apparatus for applying the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field to the space in a sheet-like molding die, where an insulating resin is placed, is explained below.

The sheet-like molding die space (hereinafter to be also referred to as a “die space”) to be used in the present invention may have any sheet-like shape as long as it can mold the object anisotropic conductive sheet. The die space may be a closed type molding die cavity completely surrounding the main surfaces on the both sides and outer circumference of an anisotropic conductive sheet, or it may be a space contained in a die structure comprising a sheet-like insulating resin containing conductive magnetic particles dispersed therein and two pieces of sheet-like die member sandwiching the resin from oth sides, wherein the space is defined by the two pieces of sheet-like die member.

In the example of FIG. 1, the inside space sandwiched by two parallel pieces of sheet-like die members 20 and 30 is the die space.

The method for placing a flowable insulating resin (including conductive magnetic particles) in the die space can be determined by reference to the conventionally known molding techniques and, for example, the following methods can be mentioned.

A method comprising injecting a flowable material made of a mixture of a flowable insulating resin and conductive magnetic particles into a die space.

A method comprising preparing a sheet-like member of a thermoplastic resin material (solid) containing conductive magnetic particles dispersed therein and melting the same in a die space.

A method comprising placing a mixture of a resin powder or granule and conductive magnetic particles in a die space and melting the same in a die space.

As a mold structure to apply at least the first magnetic field to a die space, the following can be mentioned.

A structure shown in FIG. 2, wherein a first magnet g1 is disposed in one main wall surface (hereinafter to be the first main surface, downside inner wall surface 21 in the Figure) of the two main wall surfaces 21, 31 corresponding to the surface of an anisotropic conductive sheet, from the wall surfaces forming a die space. To be specific, it is a structure wherein a first main surface 21 of the die space is the main surface of a plate die member 20 and the first magnet g1 is embedded in the die member 20. As a result, the first magnet g1 is exposed in the die space and brought into contact with the insulating resin.

A structure shown in FIG. 1, wherein the first main surface 21 of the die space consists of a plate die member 20 and the first magnet g1 is disposed behind the die member 20 when seen from the space of the molding die.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 is preferable in view of easy handling.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the material of the die member 20 on the first main surface 21 should be able to pass the magnetic fields G1, G2 from behind. When the insulating resin is melted by heating, the material of the die member 20 should have suitable heat resistance.

As such die member material, polyimide, polyester and the like can be mentioned.

In this case, the thickness of the plate die member is preferably about 0.01 mm-0.02 mm in consideration of the diffusion of magnetic beam and the like.

The structure, material and the like of the die member 30 forming the other main wall surface (hereinafter second main surface) 31 opposite to the first main surface 21, from the wall surfaces forming the die space as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 are not particularly limited. Use of a magnetic material enables sharp collection of conductive magnetic particles, because the first magnetic field passes the die space without extending.

As a magnetic material for such die member, iron, nickel, ferrite and the like can be mentioned.

The first magnet only needs to be disposed according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path to be formed.

The cross sectional shape of the first magnet (sectional shape when cut along the plane parallel to the first main surface) preferably matches the cross sectional shape of the conductive path. However, it may be smaller than the cross sectional shape of the conductive path.

The first magnet may be placed not only on the first main surface side of a die space, but may be also placed on the second main surface side as opposite to the other magnetic pole as in the conventional techniques. However, such opposite arrangement makes alignment of the magnetic poles facing each other difficult, and the number of the parts problematically increases.

In the present invention, therefore, embodiment wherein the first magnet is placed only on one main surface side of a die space is recommended.

The first magnet and the second magnet may be any of permanent magnets and electromagnets.

The intensity of the first magnetic field to be applied to the die space is preferably high so that the arrangement of the conductive magnetic particles can be retained, and can be adjusted to a suitable intensity according to the thickness of the die space and pitch of the object conductive path to be formed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the space between first magnets g1 may be the air, but it is preferable to fill a non-magnetic material such as non-magnetic stainless, aluminum, ceramic and the like so that the first magnets g1 can be retained at a uniform arrangement pattern.

In other words, a constitution in which the first magnet g1 is embedded in the surface of a plate member 10, made of a non-magnetic material, along the formation pattern of a conductive path is preferable.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, an embodiment in which the second magnet is placed behind the above-mentioned first magnet when seen from the die space, and the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field are the magnetic fields in the same direction, is preferable from the aspects of the constitution and workability of the apparatus for movably placing a magnet on a molding die. An embodiment in which the second magnet is disposed behind the second main surface (i.e., behind die member 30 forming the second main surface) is also acceptable.

When the second magnet is disposed behind the second main surface, a plate member similar to the die member 20 on the first main surface side, as explained in FIG. 1, may be used as a die member 30 forming the second main surface, so that the magnetic field generated by the second magnet will act on the die space.

In addition, when the second magnet is disposed behind the second main surface, the direction of the second magnetic field is preferably the same as that of the first magnetic field. In other words, the directions of S pole and N pole are preferably determined to prevent the second magnet and the first magnet from facing each other in the same magnetic pole.

While the speed of moving the second magnet in the lateral direction is not limited, conductive magnetic particles left suspending are effectively drawn at a suitable speed determined according to the viscosity of the resin. For a resin having viscosity of 5 mPa·S, the moving rate is preferably about 50 mm/s.

The movement of the second magnet in the lateral direction may be the movement of the second magnet from the intermediate region to reach the conductive path position, passing through the conductive path position and toward the next conductive path position. This movement includes the period of the second magnet leaving from the conductive path position.

Even during the period of the second magnet leaving from the conductive path position, the ratio of the intensity of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field only needs to be so adjusted that the conductive magnetic particles collected together to form a conductive path will not be released due to the leaving second magnetic field. By this adjustment, conductive magnetic particles present in the intermediate region can be irreversibly moved to the collection forming a conductive path simply by readily reciprocating the second magnet at a suitable stroke.

As a mechanism to move the second magnet in the lateral direction, for example, a linear motion mechanism combining an air cylinder, a rack and a pinion, a robot arm, a linear motor and the like can be mentioned.

In the above-mentioned explanation, an embodiment wherein the second magnet is mechanically moved has been shown as a configuration to move the second magnetic field in the lateral direction. However, an embodiment for controlling the electromagnet as shown below may be employed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, it is an embodiment where electromagnets as second magnets ( . . . g30, g31, g32, g33, g34 . . . ) are arranged behind the first magnet g1 in the sheet surface expanding direction and taken as one electromagnet unit g3, and activation of each electromagnet is controlled by, for example, shifting the activated electromagnet in the order of g30, g31, g32, and the like, whereby the second magnetic field is moved in the lateral direction.

In this embodiment, the second magnetic field can be easily moved constantly in a certain direction than in the embodiment wherein the second magnet is mechanically moved.

The application of an electric current to each electromagnet can be controlled in such a manner that the second magnetic field preferably moves in the lateral direction.

For example, when the activation is shifted from an electromagnet g31 to the next electromagnet g32 in the example of FIG. 3, various patterns of control can be mentioned, including an embodiment wherein the electromagnet g31 may be simply stopped and the next electromagnet g32 may be then activated, an embodiment wherein the next electromagnet g32 may be activated and then the earlier electromagnet g31 may be stopped and the like.

In the example of FIG. 3, for example, one of the 6 adjacent electromagnets is activated in one period. However, the adjacent multiple electromagnets may be simultaneously activated, or the intensity may be varied, for example, only the center of the electromagnets to be simultaneously activated shows strong intensity and the like.

In the example of FIG. 3, the first magnet g1 may be the same as that in FIGS. 1, 2. In addition, the above-mentioned electromagnet g3 may be disposed behind the second main surface.

In the above-mentioned examples, the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field are each formed using an individual exclusive magnet (first magnet, second magnet). Now, an embodiment to generate the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field by a common magnet is explained.

As shown in FIG. 4 when seen from the space of the molding die, with regard to the main wall surface 21, which is one of the two main wall surfaces 21, 31 of the wall surfaces forming the sheet-like molding die spaces, a first material for generating the first magnetic field is disposed behind the main wall surface 21 according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path (41 in the Figure), and a second material for generating the second magnetic field is disposed to fill the gap between the aforementioned first materials (42 in the Figure). These first and second materials 41, 42 may penetrate a die member 20 and be exposed on the main wall surface 21, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

The first material and the second material both permit the magnetic field to pass therethrough, and the first material is made to have higher permeability than the second material.

To be specific, as the first material, a material having higher permeability and capable of more efficiently converging the magnetic field of magnet g4 is used, and as the second material, a material having lower permeability than does the first material and permitting less passage of the magnetic field of magnet g4 than does the first material is used.

In this configuration, when magnet g4 is disposed behind the first material 41 and the second material 42, and the magnet is moved in the sheet surface expanding direction (right direction shown with an arrow in the Figure), even when the magnet g4 has moved in the lateral direction, the first magnetic field G1 that passes through the first material 41 and acts on the die space becomes a immovable magnetic field at the fixed position, and conductive magnetic particles gather at the position to form a conductive path. The second magnetic field G2 that passes through the second material 42 in the gap and acts on the die space moves in the lateral direction together with the movement of the magnet g4.

In other words, using only the common magnet g4, the first magnetic field G1 and the second magnetic field G2 can be made to act on the die space, thereby enabling simultaneous performance of the above-mentioned processes (i), (ii).

As the above-mentioned first material, iron, nickel, cobalt, ferrite, and the like are specifically mentioned.

While the second material is filled in the gap between the first materials, this region may be a vacuum space or filled with the air. To support the first material in a predetermined arrangement pattern, the second material is preferably a solid material. As such solid second material, aluminum, copper, silica and the like are specifically mentioned.

As shown in FIG. 5, at least molding dies (20, 30), the first magnet g1 and the second magnet g2 may be partially or wholly surrounded by a magnetic material 50, so that the first magnetic field G1 and the second magnetic field G2 may act more intensely on the die space.

It is also possible to facilitate the above-mentioned process (ii) by adding, to the material in the die space, mechanical vibration that can move the conductive magnetic particles in the lateral direction.

As such mechanical vibration, for example, feeding vibration used in known parts feeders, vibration of piezoelectric elements used for ultrasonication motors and the like can be mentioned.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Using nickel particles having an average particle size of 0.3 μm as conductive magnetic particles, the particles were uniformly dispersed in paraffin to give a 50 μm-thick sheet-like material.

The content of the nickel particles in the whole mixture was 10% by volume.

The sheet material was sandwiched between 10 μm-thick polyester die sheets 20, 30 from the both sides, as shown in FIG. 1.

The first magnet g1 was embedded in the surface of a 1 mm-thick aluminum plate 10 according to a conductive path arrangement pattern to give a member, with which a magnetic field was to be locally applied. The conductive path arrangement pattern included circles having a diameter of 30 μm disposed on the surface of the plate at a pitch (between centers) of 50 μm, in a closest packed manner (equilateral triangles were densely arranged).

This member was disposed behind (lower side) the sheet die member 20 in FIG. 1, and a second magnet g2 was disposed further behind.

The die space in the above-mentioned state was warmed with hot water, and heated to 60° C. to melt paraffin.

The first magnetic field from the first magnet was allowed to act on the die space, and a second magnet was simultaneously reciprocated in the lateral direction to allow the second magnetic field to act on the die space.

The application of the second magnetic field was ceased, and the paraffin was cooled while maintaining the collection of conductive magnetic particles by the first magnetic field alone, thereby solidifying the paraffin, whereby the object anisotropic conductive sheet was obtained.

Comparative Example 1

In the same manner as in the above-mentioned Example 1 except that the second magnet g2 was not used, an anisotropic conductive sheet was manufactured and used for Comparative Example.

EVALUATION

The anisotropic conductive sheet obtained in this Example showed a resistance value per one conductive path of not more than 1 Ω, and the insulation resistance value between conductive paths was not less than 1 MΩ by the application of DC 24V.

In contrast, the product of Comparative Example showed a similar resistance value per one conductive path as in the product of this Example, but insulation resistance value between conductive paths was about 50 kΩ by the application of DC 24V, showing insufficient insulation state.

From these tests, it has been found that, even when a material showing the same (conductive magnetic particles/resin) mixing ratio is used, an anisotropic conductive sheet having a conductive path of higher conductivity than that of conventional products and having higher insulation property in the lateral direction than that of conventional products can be obtained according to the production method of the present invention.

As mentioned above, the number of conductive magnetic particles left in the intermediate region is decreased by doubly applying the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field in the present invention. As a result, the number of conductive magnetic particles left in the insulating resin is still more decreased, which in turn makes the conductive path thicker. Therefore, the obtained anisotropic conductive sheet shows fine conductivity in the thickness direction and fine insulation property in the sheet surface expanding direction.

This application is based on a patent application No. 2004-279902 filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

1. A method of producing the following anisotropic conductive sheet (A), which comprises placing a flowable insulating resin in the space of a sheet-like molding die, which resin comprising conductive magnetic particles dispersed therein, simultaneously performing, relative to the space of the sheet-like molding die, the processes of (i) applying, in a sheet thickness direction, a first magnetic field to the position to form a conductive path in the space of the sheet-like molding die to locally collect the conductive magnetic particles together to form a conductive path, and (ii) applying, in the sheet thickness direction, a second magnetic field to an intermediate region between the positions to form conductive paths, to move the second magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction, thereby moving the conductive magnetic particles in the intermediate region to form the conductive path, and then solidifying the flowable insulating resin: (A) an anisotropic conductive sheet comprising an insulating resin sheet and conductive magnetic particles contained in the sheet, wherein the conductive magnetic particles are locally collected together to form multiple conductive paths penetrating the insulating resin sheet in the thickness direction.
 2. The production method of claim 1, wherein the process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet in one surface of two main wall surfaces of the wall surfaces forming the sheet-like molding die space, or behind the main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die, and the process (ii) is performed by placing a second magnet behind the first magnet or behind the main wall surface opposite to the main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction.
 3. The production method of claim 2, wherein the process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die, and the process (ii) is performed by placing a second magnet behind the first magnet when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction.
 4. The production method of claim 3, wherein a die member forming at least the one main wall surface is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.
 5. The production method of claim 2, wherein the process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and the process (ii) is performed by placing a second magnet behind the other main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction.
 6. The production method of claim 5, wherein the die member forming both main wall surfaces is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.
 7. The production method of claim 1, wherein the process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet in one surface of two main wall surfaces of the wall surfaces forming the sheet-like molding die space, or behind the main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die, and the process (ii) is performed by arranging multiple electromagnets as second magnets in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the first magnet or behind the main wall surface opposite to the main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction by controlling the order of activation of individual electromagnets.
 8. The production method of claim 7, wherein the process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface when seen from the space of the molding die, and the process (ii) is performed by arranging multiple electromagnets as second magnets in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the first magnet, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction by controlling the order of activation of individual electromagnets.
 9. The production method of claim 8, wherein a die member forming at least one main wall surface is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.
 10. The production method of claim 7, wherein the process (i) is performed by placing, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, a first magnet behind one main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and the process (ii) is performed by arranging multiple electromagnets as second magnets in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the other main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and by moving the second magnetic field in the sheet surface expanding direction by controlling the order of activation of individual electromagnets.
 11. The production method of claim 10, wherein the die member forming both main wall surfaces is made of a material permitting permeation of the magnetic field from behind.
 12. The production method of claim 1, further comprising placing a first material for generating the first magnetic field in the plane of one surface of two main wall surfaces forming a sheet-like molding die space or behind the main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, according to the arrangement pattern of the conductive path, and placing a second material for generating the second magnetic field to fill the gap between the first materials, wherein the first material and the second material both permit the magnetic field to pass therethrough, and the first material is made to have higher permeability than the second material, and wherein the processes (i), (ii) above are simultaneously performed by moving a magnet in the sheet surface expanding direction behind the first and second materials to generate a magnetic field, which is passed through the first material to create a first magnetic field, and through the second material to create a second magnetic field, which fields simultaneously acting on the molding die space.
 13. The production method of claim 12, wherein the first material and the second material are placed behind one main wall surface, when seen from the space of the molding die, and the die member forming at least the main wall surface is made of a material permitting passage of the magnetic field from behind.
 14. The production method of claim 12, wherein the first material is iron, nickel, cobalt or ferrite and the second material is aluminum, copper or silica.
 15. The production method of claim 1, wherein at least the molding die, the source of the first magnetic field and the source of the second magnetic field are partially or wholly surrounded by a magnetic material so that the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field will act more intensely on the sheet-like molding die space.
 16. The production method of claim 1, further comprising adding mechanical vibration to the sheet-like molding die space to facilitate the process (ii). 